Formed in 1808 out of the Western portion of Buncombe County, Haywood County is named after John Haywood, NC’s longest-serving treasurer who held office for 40 years from 1787-1827. Located along the Tennessee border, Haywood County is home to part of the Great Smoky Mountains, which along with Pisgah National Forest make up 40 percent of the county’s land. Unique to Haywood: all water in the county originates from rivers and springs located within the county’s borders.

The introduction of the railroad in Western NC in the 1880s revolutionized Haywood’s economy. Until then, while capable farmers, they were unable to competitively produce and deliver goods efficiently due to the county’s far-west location. The railroad’s debut opened the door to a range of industries and soon the county became known for its lumber, leather, and ginseng, as well as a prime spot for tourism.

The independent spirit of Haywood County is perhaps best exemplified through its worst-kept secret: moonshine. In 2016, the county’s dry designation was finally repealed, but the county’s long and storied history of bootlegging remains very much a part of the county’s culture to this day.

Trends in voter registration reinforce that same independence, which has come to define mountain populism. Over the past 10 years, the number of Unaffiliated voters in the county has increased by more than 11% making Unaffiliateds the largest share of the electorate (see trendlines below.) During that same time, Democratic registrations declined by nearly 19% and the Republican share of the electorate increased. Haywood County’s turnout in the last two elections has been above the statewide average, turning out 4% higher in 2020 and 8% higher in 2022.